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A 



SEMI-CENTENNIAL 



ADDRESS 



CHAS. DAVISON 



POEMS, 



W. S. KNOWLTON" AND T. N. LORD, 



ETC., 



MONSON, APRIL 22, 1872. 



PORTLAND : 

HOYT, FOGG & BREED, 

1872. 



Monson, April, 23, 1872. 
Charles Davison", Esq. 

Dear Sir : — In accordance with the wishes of the citizens of 

Monson, we respectfully request you to furnish for publication, a 

copy of the very interesting historical address delivered by you 

at the Semi-Centennial Anniversary yesterday. Hoping that you 

will make a favorable response, we remain, 

Yours truly, 

R. W. EMERSON", 

L. C. FLINT, }■ Committee. 

W. S. KNOWLTON", 



Monson*, May 1, 1872. 
Gentlemen: — I have received your note of the 23d ult., 
requesting a copy of the address delivered by me on the occasion 
of the fiftieth anniversary of our town's organization. As 
historical addresses are considered to be, more than other pro- 
ductions, public property, I do not feel at liberty to decline 
furnishing a copy for the press. I am conscious that the address 
has nothing to recommend it to the public favor, other than the 
interesting facts it contains; it being deficient in more than one 
particular. 

It will afford me great pleasure if my efforts shall perpetuate 
the memory of the early settlers of our town, and of the privations 
they were called to endure in establishing the pleasant homes we 
now enjoy; and also awaken a deeper interest in those things 
which will contribute to the permanent welfare of the place. 
With great respect, 

Yours truly, 
to Messrs. CHARLES DAVISON. 

R. W. EMERSON, 

L. C. FLINT, 

W. S. KNOWLTON, 



r%^ 



SEMI-CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION. 



The citizens of Monson, Me., met in Academy Hall to celebrate 
the semi-centennial anniversary of the organization of the town, 
on Monday, April 22, 1872. 

After singing by the choir, "Anthem for Easter," the Chairman, 
A. Chapin, Esq., called the meeting to order and made the 
following remarks : 

Ladies and Gentlemen: — I suppose the purpose of this 
gathering of our citizens here to-day may be well understood by 
most, if not all of you. Yet it may not be improper for me to 
say that it is for the purpose of celebrating, or doing something 
to keep ii* remembrance, the semi-centennial anniversary of the 
organization of the town of Monson. Fifty years ago to-day, 
and about this hour of the day, a few persons, most of them in 
the prime of life, with a few boys looking on, had assembled in 
the " east room," not the famous east room of " Old Hickory's" 
time, but the east room of the residence of Capt. Samuel 
Whitney. This room, though not so famous as the former, must 
have been quite as useful, as it constituted the cook-room, kitchen, 
dining-room, parlor and perhaps various other rooms of the 
Whitney mansion. In this room had these true-hearted men 
assembled, for the purpose of organizing the " 'cademy town," as 
it was then called, into the corporate capacity of the town of 
Monson, the Hon. Samuel Pingree, of Parkman, presiding, and 
officiating as Justice of the Peace, on that occasion. 



4 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Prayer was then offered by Rev. R. W. Emerson, and after 
the singing of "Lenox" by the choir, the audience listened to 
to the following historical address, by Charles Davison, Esq. 

Fellow Citizens: — The occasion which calls us together 
to-day is one of no common interest. Half a century has elapsed 
since the Legislature of this State passed " an Act to incorporate 
the town of Monson," from which Act I make the following 
extract: "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives in Legislature assembled : That township numbered nine 
in the eighth range of townships, North of Waldo Patent, in the 
County of Somerset, and bounded northerly by township num- 
bered nine in the ninth range; easterly by number eight, in the 
eighth range; southerly by number seven, in the seventh range ; 
and westerly by Bingham's Million Acres, with the inhabitants 
thereof, be and hereby arc incorporated into a town by the name 
of Monson, and the inhabitants of said town are hereby vested 
with all the privileges, powers and immunities which the inhabi- 
tants of towns within this State do or may by law enjoy." 

This act was approved Feb. 8, 1822 ; and on the twenty-second 
day of April following, just fifty years ago to-day, the inhabitants 
of this town, in response to a warrant issued by Samuel Pingree, 
Esq., of Parkman, met at the house of Whitney, Hyde & Co., 
for the purpose of completing their organization, as a town, by 
the choice of the necessary officers. This they did by choosing 
Andrew Cushman, Moderator; Samuel Whitney, Town Clerk ; 
Samuel Whitney, Andrew Cushman and Abel Goodell, Selectmen 
and Assessors; Lucius Hyde, Treasurer; Austin Newell, Con- 
stable and Collector; Abel Goodell, Lucius Hyde and Chauncey 
L. Colton, School Committee ; and filling the other offices by the 
choice of good and true men. The number of voters in the town 
at the time of its organization, was twenty-one, namely : Amos 
Atkinson, Wm. Blunt, Amasa Chapin, Calvin Colton, Justin 
Colton, Chauncey S. Colton, Benj. Collins, Andrew Cushman, 
Geo. Doughty, Abel Goodell, Wm. A. Hyde, Lucius Hyde, Joseph 
Jackson, Austin Newell, Abial Packard, Shepherd Packard, Asa 
Piper, Horatio Sherman, Isaac Tyler, Samuel Whitney and 



COMMEMORATION. 5 

Samuel Weymouth. Six of these .ire still living : Isaac Tyler 
and Horatio Sherman in this town ; Chauncey S. Colton in 
Galesburg, Illinois : Austin Newell in Monson, Mass.; Wm. A. 
Hyde in Portland, Me., and Shepherd Packard in Aroostook 
Co., of this State. 

The wives of three of these persons are still living, namely, 
Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Newell. 

The whole number of inhabitants at that time, as nearly as can 
now be ascertained, was ninety. Of those who were then here 
and were then young, a few remain among us; some are living in 
other places ; but the most of them have gone to " that country 
from whose bourn no traveler returns." 

The first settlements in this town were in the west or 
south-western part of the town. This part of the township, six 
miles by three, prior to the year 1811, had been granted by the 
Legislature of Massachusetts to Hebron Academy, in this State. 
Subsequently, the remainder of the township was granted to the 
Academy in Monson, Mass. It was expected, indeed I think its 
was a provision in the grants, that a certain number of settlers, 
within a specified time, should become residents of this township ; 
and the trustees of Hebron Academy offered fifty acres of land 
to any one who would come on to their portion and perform 
"settler's duty," as it was called, which was to clear a portion of 
land, build a house and occupy the same. 

The first settler in this town was Joseph Bearce, who came from 
Hebron in 1816, the year known throughout New England as the 
cold season. He had been here the previous year and felled a 
few trees. He commenced on lot numbered nine in the second 
range. During that summer, 1816, he cleared a field and built a 
small log house. This was the first house in town. It was 
situated a few rods north of the road now leading from our 
village to Blanchard, and near where the road formerly known 
r.s the " Dudley road " leaves the Blanchard road. 

Mr. Bearce at this time was a young man, and doubtless was 
building bright hopes for the future. He remained here that 
season, and then Avas away for the winter, returning the next 
spring and raising a small crop on the land he had previously 



6 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

cleared. In the spring of 18J.8, he married Nancy Ricker, of 
Paris. But they were not permitted to enjoy each others com- 
panionship long, in the home they had chosen for themselves in 
the forest ; for in the autumn of the same year, death claimed 
him for his victim, and he was called away from earth. 

This was the first death in town, God, it would seem, intending 
to remind those who were then here, and others who should come 
after them, how uncertain are all earthly prospects. This young 
man, full of life and hope, who so recently came far into the forest, 
guided only by the spotted line of the surveyor, to establish for 
himself a home, so soon cut down by the ruthless hand of the 
great destroyer, should certainly remind us how transient and 
uncertain are all human things. His funeral was attended by 
Elder Hall, of Parkman, long known through all this region as 
an earnest preacher of the gospel. The text chosen by Mr. Hall 
on that occasion is found in Isaiah 40: 6-8. "All flesh is grass, 
and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The 
grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the spirit of the Lord 
bloweth upon it ; surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, 
the flower fadeth, but the word of our God shall stand forever." 
This was the first sermon ever preached in town, and the first 
funeral sermon ever preached by Elder Hall. 

While Mr. Bearce lived in this town, the path from Abbot to 
the settlement here diverged from the path leading to Million 
Acres, now Blanchard, and Mr. B. finding a pair of Moose horns, 
placed them upon a post as a guide-board. Moose horns have 
ever since been used in that place for the same purpose ; conse- 
quently, the place is designated Moose Horns. 

In 1816, Geo. Doughty, from Gray, and Simeon Irish, from 
Hebron, commenced to fell trees in what has since been known 
as the " Witham neighborhood." Mr. Irish built a small house that 
fall, and moved into it in 1817. This was the first framed house 
in town, and was covered with shaved clap-boards, without any 
boarding. It was situated on what was afterwards known as the 
Fogg place, near where J. B. Draper now lives. Mr. Doughty 
raised some crop on his land in 1817, and built a log house, into 



COMMEMORATION. 7 

which, with a wife and five children, he moved in March, 1818. 
These were the first children in town. 

The same year — 1818 — Samuel Rowe and wife came from 
Hebron, and commenced clearing land in the same neighborhood, 
living in the house with Mr. Doughty until he could erect a log 
house for himself. 

In the fall of 1818, James Stanchfield came from Albion, and 
commenced to clear land ; and in February, 1819, moved with his 
family, eight persons in all, into the house built by Mr. Bearce. 
In this house he lived until he could erect a log house upon the 
land where he intended to, and did make for himself a farm and 
a home. This was the first house built in the east half of Monson, 
or on that part granted to Monson Academy, and was the place 
where, for some length of time, the people were accustomed to 
meet for religious worship, and for other purposes ; indeed, this 
house was for some two years dwelling-house, meeting-house and 
school-house. It stood on the spot where Joseph Daine's buildings 
now stand. 

In the spring of 1819, Joseph Jackson and wife, with a family 
of eight children, came from No. 7, now Abbot. He had been 
here the fall before, and felled some trees on the place now 
occupied by David B. Cotton. Here he erected a log house, and 
lived several years ; after which he moved into the east half of 
the town, living on the farm now occupied by H. C. Pullen. 
The same season Samuel Weymouth, Amos Atkinson and Abial 
Packard came with their families, and commenced making for 
themselves homes. Mr. Packard bought Mr. Irish's house, and 
Mr. Atkinson located on the north side of Hebron Pond ; this 
was the first settlement north of the pond. Here Mr. Atkinson 
and his wife commenced housekeeping in a small log house, at 
least one and a half mile from any neighbors ; and they were 
obliged to cross the pond, a distance of nearly a mile, to call on 
any friend. The wants of those early settlers were few, and were 
easily supplied. Instead of the spacious houses that we now 
think necessary for our comfort, they were contented and happy 
when they had erected a small house of unhewn logs, and had 
thus secured a comfortable shelter from the inclemency of the 



SEMI-CENTENNIAL 



weather. Their furniture was of the plainest sort, and of this 
they possessed but a scanty supply; their food was such as they 
raised on their new farms, coarse but wholesome; their clothing 
was such as their wives and mothers manufactured with their 
own hands ; gold and silver they had none, or but little ; but with 
strong hands and determined hearts they toiled on, looking for 
the better time coming. Little do we realize, my friends, what 
privations, hardships, toils and sufferings it has cost to purchase 
for us the comfortable homes and the many privileges we now 
enjoy. But of these I shall speak more by and by. 

The first birth in town was a child born to Simeon Irish and 
wife, in the summer of 1818. The second was in the family of 
Samuel Rowe, the next summer; and the third was a son of 
Amos Atkinson, in the Autumn of 1819, while they were living 
so fiir from neighbors, on the north side of the pond. When this 
child was between two and three months old, Mr. A. found it 
necessary to go to Foxcroft to procure supplies for the family 
As tins journey of some twenty miles was to be performed on 
foot, he would be obliged to be gone over night. He left his 
wife and infant child alone, little thinking but that he should find 
hem safe on his return. The wife and mother was busy with 
her household cares, and happy in them and in watching and 
caring for the little one God had given to comfort and cheer her 
in her forest home. As night came on, not a fear, or hardly a 
thought of loneliness came over her. She retired to rest happy 
and contented; but who can imagine her feelings, when on 
awakening in the middle of the night, she found her infant child 
dead by her side! During the remainder of the night she 
watched over her dead child. In the morning she laid it out as 
best she could, dressing it for the grave; and during all the lone 
hours of that lonely day, how anxiously she watched and waited 
now busy about some household care-now gazing, with feelings' 
a mother only knows, upon the face of the dead-and now waiting 
and wishing for the return of the husband and father. The lone" 
hours of that lonely day wore away at last. The sun had sunk 
to rest behind the western hills, and the shades of night were 
gathering around her humble home. Long had she been watching 



COMMEMORATION. 9 

and listening for the coming of the absent one, and she began to 
tear that another night she must watch alone with the dead ; but 
now she hears his footsteps approaching; she hastens to meet 
him ; not a word is spoken, but the look on his wife's face tells 
him that sorrow has come to their home, and the strong man 
bursts into tears. Neither of them can find words to express 
their thoughts, and silently, and in tears, they enter their cabin 
and gaze upon the cold, lifeless form of their firstborn. 

In the summer of 1818, the trustees of Monson Academy, 
anxious to procure settlers to locate on their grant, sent Abel 
Goodell to explore the township, and thus be able to recommend 
to others to come here to find or rather to make for themselves 
homes. He came for that purpose, but was prevented by a 
severe freshet from making such an exploration as to satisfy 
either himself or those who sent him. He, however, concluded 
the next year that he would move here himself, and did some- 
thing to influence others to the same resolve. The trustees 
offered one hundred acres to actual settlers. 

In the fall of 1819, Capt. Amasa Chapin traded with the 
trustees of the Academy for one mile square of land, in the east 
half of this town, taking the same in part pay for his farm in 
Monson, Mass. He at once set out with his family for the place 
which was to be his future home. He came as far as No. 7, now 
Abbot, and there found a house which he could purchase, where 
he lived until the spring of 1820. In the meantime, he selected 
his lot of land and commenced to clear his farm. He felled ten 
acres of trees in 1820, and raised a small house, which was so far 
finished that they moved into it the March following. This is 
the place now owned by his son and always known as the Chapin 
farm. 

In May, 1820, Capt. Samuel Whitney, Justin Colton and 
William A. Hyde, with their families, and Calvin Colton and 
Lucius Hyde, leaving their families behind until the next winter, 
and Royal Day, Austin Newell and Horatio Sherman, single 
men, seventeen in all, came from Monson, Mass., and commenced 
a settlement, where the village now stands, and in the south- 
eastern part of the town. With the coming of these men and 



10 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

others that soon followed, the prospects of the place brightened. 
They were men of character and of influence, and were possessed 
of more means than those avIio had before settled in this town. 
Their homes had hitherto been homes of comfort and refinement, 
and they were determined to establish similar ones in the place 
which they had chosen for their future residence. 

They left Monson, Mass., in April, part of them taking a sail 
packet at Boston for Bangor — for this was before the days of 
steam navigation — and part coming all the way by land. They 
were about three weeks on the way, both parties arriving about 
the same time and spending the Sabbath, May 7th, at Capt. 
Chapin's, in Abbot, where they left the women and children for 
a few days, coming here on Monday, May 8th. They stopped a 
few days in Mr. Stanchfield's house, and then went to Mr. 
Atkinson's, where they found a home until they could clear 
away the forest sufficiently to build a house, which was soon 
ready for their reception. This house stood on the spot where 
H. G. Sherman's house now stands, and was the first house in 
this village and the second framed house in town. It was the 
home of Capt. Whitney as long as he w T as a resident of this 
town, and for several years was a temporary home for quite a 
number of other families, they stopping here until they could 
construct some sort of a house for themselves. 

In the winter and spring of 1822 and 1823, no less than five 
families found a home in this house at the same time. These 
were the families of Samuel Whitney, James Whiting, William 
A. Hyde, Lucius Hyde and Alexander Greenwood, in all twenty- 
four persons, and this in a house twenty-two feet by thirty and 
unfinished. In this house, the first birth in the east half of the 
town, and the first in the families from Massachusetts after their 
arrival here, occurred on the first day of January, 1821. This was a 
daughter to William A. Hyde and wife. This child is now Mrs. 
Catharine M. Giddings, of Portland. 

On the first Sabbath after this colony from Massachusetts arrived 
here, they had a meeting for religious worship. This meeting, 
which was hold en in the house built by Mr. Bearce, was, as nearly as 



COMMEMORATION . 1 1 

I can learn, the first religious meeting in town, with the exception 
of two funerals ; the first that of Mr. Bearce, which has been 
mentioned already; and the other, that of a child of Samuel 
Rowe, which was attended by Elder Macomber, of Guilford. It 
was soon seen that meetings in the south-western part of the town 
would better accommodate the settlers there, and also afford an 
opportunity for some families who had settled on Million Acres — 
now Blanchard — to attend. Arrangements were therefore made 
for a meeting at the house of Abial Packard on the first Sabbath 
in June. Of this meeting Mr. Newell, who assisted in conducting 
this and all the meetings until a minister was obtained, in a letter 
recently received, says : " The house was filled to overflowing, 
men, women and children. Some of the women came five or six 
miles barefoot, with their best on, which we should think at this 
time was rather plain." The next Sabbath they met again at the 
same place, and finding the interest unabated they organized a 
Sabbath School, and concluded to continue the meetings at the 
same place through the summer. After this, for some two years, 
the meetings were held in the house of James Stanchfield. Then 
a school house having been erected near the centre of the town, 
the meetings were held there until the erection of a church edifice 
afforded a still more convenient place for public worship. 

It is pleasing to look back and see that those early settlers, 
amid all the privations of frontier life, found comfort and 
happiness in the worship of the great Creator ; that as soon as 
they arrived in this then wilderness, notwithstanding all the 
cares that were pressing upon them, they had the disposition, 
and found time to assemble on God's holy day ; and to establish 
in the early history of the town the public worship of God, and 
the study of His word in the Sabbath School ; which, I am glad 
to be able to say, have been sustained to this day. In relation to 
the coming of these men, and to the influence which they exerted 
upon the people, one who was here when they came, recently said, 
" It now seems, as I look back upon their coming, like a light 
shining in upon a dark place. Before they came there was but 
little regard for the Sabbath or for anything sacred ; but after 
their coming all was changed. Soon, instead of hunting and fishing 



6 SEMI-CENTEXXIAL 

on Sunday, we formed the habit of goiag to meeting; and I 
believe that the good influence of those men still lives here/' 

In the summer of 1820, the ,1am across the outlet of the pond 
flowing the pond and thus rendering more valuable the water- 
power in this place, was built. At this time, the water-power 
with one mile square of land-lot No. 10-was the property of 
Whitney, Hyde and Fay. In the summer and autumn of 18*1 
they erected a saw-mill and grist-mill, near where the present 
nulls now stand. The present grist-mill was built by T. Davee 
in the year 1841. Mr. Fay never came here to live, and soon 
after sold out his interest to Frederic F. Gates, who, with his 
family, came here in the spring of 1823 to make a home. Soon 
after this the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Whitney keeping 
the mills, Mr. Gates the northern and Mr. Hyde the southern 
part of their tract of land. 

In the spring of 1820, about three weeks after the first 
emigrants from Monson, Mass, arrived, Isaac Tyler-whom we 
all know-then a young man, came from New Gloucester, and 
commenced to clear land near where he now lives On the 
tenth day of March, 1S22, he moved into town with his wife 
whom he had just married, and lived about two months in the' 
bouse with Mr. Atkinson, until he had erected a part of the 
house which he now occupies. 

In February, 1822, Andrew Cushman and wife, with a family 
of seven children, came from the town of Oxford. Mr C had 
been here the year previous and felled trees. He commenced on 
the farm now occupied by Jeremiah Daine. Mr. Cushman's was 
the fifteenth family in town. The same spring, Austin Newell 
brought his wife, whom he had returned to Monson, Mass., to 
marry; and with them came Hiram Vinton, and that year 
commenced operations where he now lives. He returned to 
Massachusetts in the fall, and did not move here until the spring 

In the spring of 1822, there also came from Oxford County, Cvrus 
Packard, William Bowker and Cornelius Barrows. They com- 
menced farms, raising some crops that season, and preparing 



COMMEMORATION. 13 

places to live in, which they soon after occupied with their wives. 
Zibeon Packard came about the same time. Abel Goodell, who 
came in 1818 to explore the township, left Mcmson, Mass., in the 
spring of 1821. Leaving his family in Harmony, he came here 
and commenced to clear his farm. The next winter he moved 
his family as far as Guilford, wh<*re they staid one year. He 
seems, however, to have been considered a resident in this town, 
voting and holding office in 1822, though his family did not 
arrive here until May, 1823. 

Although there appears to have been but twenty-one voters 
here in April, 1822, and only twenty-five votes cast for Governor 
in September of the same year, yet upon an old tax-list of 1822, 
sent me by Mr. Newell, the first collector, I find the names 
of thirty-two resident tax-payers. The names on that list, not 
already mentioned, are Nathaniel Bennett, Reuben Cushman, 
Samuel Tobin, George Hathaway and Isaac Stone. Hathaway 
and Stone were young men employed to work that season for 
Capt. Chapin. The others lived here with their families and 
probably came in 1821 or the spring of 1822. 

In October, 1822, James Whiting and family, five in all, came 
from Monson, Mass., and lived with Mr. Whitney and Mr. Atkinson, 
until Mr. Whiting could build a house, when they moved on to 
the place since known as the Whiting farm. 

In the spring of 1823, Alexander Greenwood, Esq.* who had 
been employed by the trustees of Hebron Academy in 1811, to 
lot their portion of this township, and afterwards by Monson 
Academy to survey and lot the remainder of the town, moved 
from Hebron and settled on the farm now occupied by Llewellyn 
Moore. 

In the same summer Samuel Robinson, Zenas Scales, Abel 
Janes and Daniel Wallace came and settled in this town. la 
October of the same year, Joseph Goodell and Dr. A. Davison, 
came from Vermont, Mr. Goodell commencing on the farm where 
he now lives, Dr. Davison moving into Dea. Hyde's house; which 



►Killed by the falling of a tree in the spring of 1827. 



14 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

had been built that summer. Ihis is the house where J. P. 
Haynes now lives, and was the second house bnilt in this village. 
Here Dr. Davison -lived until 1825, in the summer of which year 
he built the house where James and J. C. Stanchfield now live, 
and moved into it in the autumn. Some time during this year 
Samuel and Zebedee Thomas am] John Packard, settled in the 
west part of the town. Daniel Briggs also came the same year. 

In 1824, I find that William Conner, Simeon Davee, John 
Crafts, Solomon Cushman, John Morton and Oliver Eveleth, 
became residents of this town. 

In May of this year, a fire, which started on what is now the 
common, where the forest was being cleared off, threatened to 
destroy what buildings there were in the vicinity. All the help 
that could be mustered, men, women and children, were obliged 
to work hard for a day and night to save the mills, two dwelling 
houses ami one or two out-buihlings then starting where the 
village now is. 

In the year 1824 or 1825, the Post Office in this town was 
established. Before this, all the mail matter designed for this 
place stopped at Sangerville, and the inhabitants here were 
obliged to go twelve miles to mail or to get a letter or paper. 
Frederic F. Gates Avas the first Post Master and Hiram Doughty 
the first mail-carrier. Mr. D. was succeeded, in a short time, by 
Benj. Stanchfield, who, every Saturday for two years, went on foot 
to Esq. Kelsey's, in Guilford, returning the same day, with the 
mail, and being obliged to cross the Piscataquis river twice each 
way, in the best manner he could — for there was no bridge — in 
order to leave the mail at the Post Office in Abbot. For this 
service the government paid these men two shillings a trip, or a 
little more than one cent for each mile of travel. They usually 
had some errands to do for the inhabitants, for which they received 
60me trilling compensation. As they approached the Post Office, 
and sometimes as they passed the houses, they sounded a trumpet 
before them, not as did the Pharisee of old, to parade his religion, 
but to . inform the people that the mail was coming, and that 
there was an opportunity for any one who wished to send 
errands. In 1827, the mail was carried by Deacon Fuller from 



COMMEMORATION. 15 

Bangor to Monson, once a week; and in 1831, it commenced to 
be carried three times a week. 

In 1825, also, the first minister was settled in this town. This 
was the Rev. Lot Ryder. The ordination took place in the barn 
of Capt. S. Whitney. There were present to assist in the 
ordination five clergymen, namely, Rev. Mr. Fargo of Solon, 
Prof. Smith of Bangor, Rev. Mr. Peet of Norridgewock, Rev. 
Mr. Williams of Foxcroft and Rev. Mr. Sheldon of Brownville. 
Mr. Ryder did not labor long here, for in September following, 
only about six months after his ordination, he was called away 
from earth to enter into his eternal reward. 

In the same year, 1825, the first store was opened in this town. 
Oliver Eveleth, who came here the year before, built his store 
that summer and commenced trade in the autumn following. 
Solomon Cushman commenced trade about the same time. They 
were the only traders here until 1830, when T. S. Pullen, from 
Winthrop, came and commenced trade; since which time there 
has been no lack of traders in the place. Mr. Eveleth continued 
to trade where he first commenced for more than twenty-five 
years, when he moved to Greenville, where he still lives. 

In the autumn of this year, 1825, the great fire which swept 
over so large a portion of this State, occurred. In this town, 
though no buildings were destroyed, great damage was done by 
the burning of large tracts of timber land. Many of the 
buildings were in great danger, and it was only by the most 
strenuous efforts, and in some cases it seemed only by a direct 
interposition of Providence, that they were saved. 

In 1826, no less than nine men, most of them having families, 
moved into town. They were Capt. J. Matthews, R. K. Packard, 
Joseph Barrett, Roland Taylor, Warren Dudley, Joshua Buck, 
David Goodell, Benjamin Ward and John B. Packard. In 1827, 
came Joseph Booth, H. G. O. Harmon, George Dunham, William 
Goding and Abel Jewett. In 1828, Abner Brown,* William D. 
Hoar, Milton Hoar, Thomas Towns and Solomon Bray. Mr. 



•Mr. Brown fell dead in the street, Aug. 7, 1854. 



16 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Bray probably had the largest family ever living in this town, 
fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom 
lived to be men and women. I have thus far endeavored to give 
the names and the date of their coming of all the settlers in the 
town. Some names have probably been omitted, and there may 
be some errors in the dates, but I think they will usually be 
found correct. 

It would be interesting to continue the history of the town in 
its particulars to the present time, but we have space now only 
to glance at a few incidents. 

In the spring of 1831, the village was threatened with entire 
destruction by fire. The fire originated on land of William D. 
Hoar, where he was burning off the wood, preparatory to a crop. 
Most of the men were away to a raising, and the women turned 
out en masse, and successfully contended with the destroying 
element until help arrived and the dwellings were all saved. 

In the summer of 1831, the first church edifice in town was 
completed and dedicated to the worship of the Most High. The 
nearest meeting-house at that time was at Bangor on the one 
hand, and at Skowhegan on the other; and the church bell, sum- 
moning the people to the service of the sanctuary, was heard 
over these hills and through these valleys, when for a distance of 
forty or fifty miles on either hand no such sound broke the stillness 
of the Sabbath morn. This church — which was framed by R. K. 
Packard, and was the first building framed by him by square rule 
— was destroyed by fire in 18G0, and rebuilt the following year. 

In 1840 the population had increased to five hundred forty-eight. 

In the year 1845, the Baptist meeting-house was built and 
dedicated to the worship of God in the autumn of the same year. 
In 1850 the number of inhabitants was six hundred fifty-four, 
and in 18G0, it was seven hundred and eight. 

May 27, 1860, will long be remembered as an eventful day for 
Monson. Soon after noon on that pleasant Sabbath day, a fire 
was discovered issuing from a stable attached to the hotel of 
Nelson Savage. In the short space of two hours, about forty 
buildings were entirely destroyed, with a large portion of their 



COMMEMORATION. 17 

contents. Among the buildings destroyed were two hotels, two 
stores,.one meeting-house, shops, dwelling-houses, barns, &c. Sel- 
dom has a village the size of ours suffered so severely by fire. 
Four dwelling houses had been destroyed by fire previous to this 
time: that of Samuel Rowe, in the winter of 1818 and 1819, 
Calvin Colton's in the spring of 1823, George Doughty's in 1830, 
and A. G. Houston's in 1853. 

When the war for the maintenance and perpetuity of slavery 
in our land, and for the destruction of our country, broke out, 
and was being waged with such desperate fury, the town of 
Monson was not slow to hear the calls for men to enter into the 
service of their country, and hazard their lives to preserve and 
transmit to posterity the institutions and blessings of a free 
government. During the four years of that fearful conflict, no 
less than eighty-four of our citizens left their happy homes, 
many of them leaving behind dependent families, and, entering 
the army, braving all the dangers and privations of the camp 
and of the battle-field, devoted themselves to the work of saving 
their country. The names* of these men should be remembered 
with gratitude and affection, and their devotion to the cause of 
liberty should be sacredly cherished by us and by those who shall 
come after us, as worthy of imitation. Twenty of these men 
returned to us no more. They fell on the battle-field, or sickened 
and died in camp or hospital. Three returned just in season to 
die with their friends, and they sleep near us in the grave. 

In the summer of 1870, discoveries were made which promise 
to be of no little advantage to the financial interests of the place. 
I refer to the discovery of rich deposits of slate near the centre 
of the town, the manufacture of which has but just begun. 

Four persons have met with death by drowning in this town; 
three in Hebron pond and one near the outlet of the same. 
John T. Delano was drowned Dec. 4, 1822 ; Alfred Ely, son of 
Samuel Robinson, July 4, 1831 ; Streeter Strout in the autumn 
of 1840, and Charles M. Tarr, July 10, 1858. 

The oldest person who has lived in town was Mrs. Stephenson, 



*See Appendix. 
2 



18 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

who lived in the family of Capt. Mathews, and died in August, 
1841, aged ninety-six years. 

There are two couples now living in this town, who have been 
married more than fifty years and have been residents of this 
town during the whole of their wedded lives. I refer to Horatio 
Sherman and wife, whose golden wedding should have been 
celebrated on the sixth day of January last ; and to Isaac Tyler 
and wife, who should have received a like token of affection and 
respect the twenty-second day of last February. The couple in 
town who have been longest married are Moses Crafts and wife, 
who were married in 1816, fifty-six years ago ; thirty-nine years 
of this time they have been residents of this town. 

During the first years of our town's history, as money was not 
so plenty as grain, most of the taxes were paid in grain; the 
town at its annual meeting' each year establishing by vote the 
price at which grain should be received in payment for taxes. 
And the town officers, school teachers, &c, were expected to 
receive the same in compensation for their services. This practice 
was continued until the year 1831. The usual price of grain was 
wheat seven shillings sixpence, rye i\xe shillings, and corn four 
shillings sixpence. 

Let us now consider the character of the men who were foremost 
in conducting the affairs of the town in its early history, and who, 
in doing this, left the impress of their own minds and lives upon 
the inhabitants; exerting an influence which is still felt, and will 
be, far into the future. The first and most pleasing thought in 
my mind, as I remember these men and think of their early history, 
is that they were men of piety. This will lead me to speak more 
particularly of the religious history of the place; of the first 
meetings and Sabbath School I have already spoken. For some 
two or three years but very little preaching was enjoyed by the 
inhabitants, yet they did not neglect the assembling of themselves 
together for religious worship. Says one who came here in 1822, 
"It was nothing unusual for men to yoke their oxen to their sleds 
or carts on Sabbath morning, and take their families four or five 
miles to meeting, and get there in good season. If they owned 
a horse, almost always two would ride at once, the woman seated 



COMMEMORATION. 19 

behind her husband. I can think of not more than one or two 
men who did not go to meeting when we came here." When 
they had no preaching, a sermon was almost always read, Deacon 
L. Hyde usually reading. Occasionally, Elder Hall, of Parkman, 
preached in the place, and his visits were always, welcomed. 
Elder Macomber, of Guilford, and others, also came occasionally. 
In August, 1821, Rev. John Sawyer, better known as Father 
Sawyer, visited the place. At that time the Congregational 
Church was formed. This church was composed at first of but 
seven members, viz: Amasa Cliapin, Cynthia Chapin, Lucius 
Hyde, Achsa Hyde, William A. Hyde, Marcia Hyde and Austin 
Newell. This was on Saturday, the eleventh of August. The 
next day Abel Goodell arrived, having come from Harmony — 
where he was stopping with his family — on purpose to be here at 
the formation of the church, but was not able to get here in 
season. He was received as a member, and he and Lucius Hyde 
were chosen deacons. Of the original members of this church 
only two are now living, Austin Newell, of Monson, Massachusetts, 
and William A. Hyde, of Portland. In the autumn of 1822, a 
man by the name of Stone was sent here by the Maine Missionary 
Society, and preached some six Sabbaths. The following winter 
Father Sawyer was here, teaching school during the week and 
preaching on the Sabbath. In December, 1823, Rev. Henry 
White came and spent nearly six months. 

• The first pastor settled over this church and people was Rev. 
Lot Ryder, who commenced his labors here in November, 1824, 
was ordained in March, 1825, and died in the September fol- 
lowing. 

The next regular preaching enjoyed in this town Avas that of 
Rev. Anson Hubbard, who commenced his labors in September, 
1827, and was dismissed in August, 1834. He was succeeded by 
Rev. John Baker, who was ordained in September, 1835. This 
relation continued about four years. Rev. Horatio Usley com- 
menced preaching in this place, in July, 1840, and remained 
pastor of the church fifteen years. He was succeeded by Rev. R. 
W. Emerson, in May, 1S56. The events which have transpired 
since that time are within the recollection of nearly all present. 



20 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

The whole number connected with.this church since its formation, 
is two hundred fifty-three; present number ninety-two. 

The Baptist church in this place was formed Aug. 10, 18*27, 

consisting - at first of fourteen members, viz: Daniel Wallace, An- 
drew Cushman, James Stanchfield, Elijah Briggs, Daniel Briggs, 
Benj. Ward, Asa Piper, Hannah Stanchfield, Harriet Cushman, 
Mary A. Wallace, Olive Wallace, Anna Cushman, Lovey Day 
and Dorcas Atkinson. Of these, only two are now living, viz : 
Mrs. Hannah Dow, formerly Hannah Stanchfield, and Mrs. Harriet 
Howe, formerly Harriet Cushman. This church was without any 
stated preaching for several years, occasionally enjoying the 
ministrations of some neighboring minister for a few Sabbaths. 
Rev. Mr. Page, Rev. II. Seaver, Rev. II. Hunting and Rev. E. 
C. Cressey labored with them, each for a short time. The first 
pastor settled with them was Rev. Lebbeus Kingman, who com- 
menced his labors here in September, 1842, and remained nearly 
three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Lucius Bradford, in 
October, 1845, who remained six years. Rev. D. P. Bailey 
commenced his labors with this church in November, 1853, and 
as you all know has recently left us, having labored here eighteen 
years, a longer time than any other minister has sustained the 
relation of pastor in this town. The whole number connected 
with this church since its formation is two hundred and thirty; 
present number eighty-seven. 

Thus have the people of this town, for more than fifty years, 
enjoyed the stated worship of God on the Sabbath, and most of 
the time the preaching of the Gospel. Nor have these privileges 
been in vain. Often have those who have labored to sustain the 
institutions of religion felt that they were abundantly rewarded 
by I rod's blessing on their efforts. Early in the history of religious 
meetings in this town, two of the first settlers, Samuel Whitney 
and wife, became deeply interested in the matter of personal 
religion, and embraced the first opportunity to unite with the 
church of Christ. Often has there been a deep and general 
interest in religious matters, and many have been savingly benefited. 
The first of these seasons was in the spring of 18*25, during the 
labors of the first minister; again in 18*28; in 1831; in the 






COMMEMORATION. 21 

winter of 1837-8 ; the winter of "1841-2 ; the winter and spring of 
1843; next in the winter of 1847-8; again in 1849; the spring of 
1856 and in the winter of 1862-3. And who can doubt that the 
interest felt at the present time in these matters, is in part the 
fruit of the seed sown in the early settlement of our town. 

Again, these men were men of correct moral lives. Their 
example was good. The influence they exerted was felt for good 
upon those who came within the circle of that influence. No 
immorality was countenanced by them ; nothing that would have 
a tendency to lead the young in the paths of dissipation and vice 
was tolerated. Thus early did our town acquire a name for 
respectability and morality which has always been an advantage 
to us. It is a matter of gratitude, and one for which we as 
citizens of Monson have reason to rejoice, that for the last ten 
years there has been no place in town whdre intoxicating drinks 
have been kept for sale. 

The hotel here during that time has been conducted on strictly 
temperance principles, by one * of the early settlers of the place, 
who came here when a boy, more than fifty years ago. Who can 
doubt that the correct moral sentiment which prevails among us, 
and the comparative exemption from dissipation and vice with 
which we have ever been favored, is due largely to the example 
and influence of those men. They were men of intelligence. 
They knew and felt the importance of infusing into the community, 
and especially into the minds of the young, a knowledge of the 
world and of the things which were transpiring in the various 
walks of life ; and so much of a knowledge of the arts and 
sciences as would fit them for the various positions in life which 
they might be called to fill. And, after caring for their own, and 
the spiritual interests of those around them, one of their first 
efforts was to provide schools suitable for the proper instruction 
of the young. The first school in town was kept in the house of 
James Stanchfield, in the winter of 1821-2. ' This was before the 
incorporation of the town, and I infer must have been sustained 
by private enterprise. It was, however, free to all who were able 

*A. Cliapin, Esq. 



s 



22 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

to avail themselves of it. It was* taught by Lucius Hyde, and I 
learn that there were about twenty scholars in all. The second 
school was held in the same place the following- winter, and was 
taught by Father Sawyer. In the summer of 1823, a school-house 

was erected near the centre of the town, and the succeeding 
winter the school, taught by Dr. Davison, was in that house. 
For some years there was only one school in town; many of the 
scholars going two or three miles to attend. Cut in those days, 
and by those hardy pioneers, such a walk was not deemed the 
hardship which it would now he considered. 

In the year 1827 or 1828, a school was commenced in that part 
of the town known as the Day neighborhood ; and soon the 
various parts of the town had schools of their own. From that 
time to the present, all the scholars in town have enjoyed a 
convenient opportunity of attending school a part of each year. 

In the year 1848, the first Academy was erected, thus affording 
the scholars of this town and vicinity an opportunity to attend 
school at seasons of the year when the district schools were 
not in session, and also to pursue those studies not taught 
in the common schools. This building Avas consumed by fire, 
March, 1860, and replaced by the present Academy building the 
next year. During the first four years after the organization of 
the town, the sums raised for the support of schools amounted to 
$250, while all other taxes, excepting that of labor on highways, 
voted by the town, amounted to only 8280. Do we not see here 
the foundation for the intelligence which has ever characterized 
the inhabitants of our town ? 

Some estimate of the intelligence of our people may be formed 
from the fact, that at the present time, there are taken in this town, 
with a population of not over seven hundred, one hundred seventy- 
three numbers of Aveekly papers, eighty-four of monthlies, six 
semi-monthly and five daily. Of the weekly papers, one hundred 
nineteen are published in Maine, twenty-four in Massachusetts, 
eleven in New York, one in New Hampshire, one in Vermont, 
one in Illinois, two in Pennsylvania, one in Colorado, twelve in 
Ohio, and one in Iowa. They were men of courage, energy and 




COMMEMORATION. 23 

perseverance ; in a word, the men and women who came into the 
wilderness*, and by their own labors, privations and hardships, 

laid the foundations of the happy homes we now possess, were 
plucky men and women. Meeting- obstacles with determination, 
enduring hardships with fortitude, contending with poverty, and 
suffering all the privations incident to a new settlement with 
patience and perseverance. 

These traits of character in these individuals, and their circum- 
stances, together with the privations, labors and difficulties which 
were the price paid for the privileges we now enjoy, will be 
illustrated by a few anecdotes pertaining to the early settlement 
of the town. But few of the many stories of those early days to 
which I have listened with so much interest during the past few 
days, shall I have time to mention now. In the spring of 1817, 
Mrs. Doughty came from Abbot, and while her husband was 
laboring to meet the present wants of the family, and clearing 
land for a future crop, with only the assistance which her small 
boys could give in piling the brush and burning off the same, with 
her own hands planted the potatoes which she had purchased 
with her own labor at one dollar a bushel. To do this, Mrs. D. 
and her little boys had to walk some four miles. These potatoes 
Mrs. Doughty watched and cared for with her own labor, and 
helped to harvest in the autumn ; thus providing for the family 
a very important part of their living during the first year they 
resided in town. 

When Mr. Goodell came from Monson, Mass., in 1818, to 
explore the eastern half of the township, with the view of getting 
up a colony to settle here, he stopped at Mr. Doughty's. The 
object of his visit was known, and they were anxious to bestow 
upon him all the attention they could, in order to make as 
favorable an impression as possible upon his mind concerning the 
place. But unfortunately they had no bread nor materials with 
• which to make any; and their neighbors were as destitute as 
themselves. Neither could they furnish their guest with any 
meat, but there were potatoes in the ground, and corn in the field. 
These thev gathered and cooked for dinner. On this food, and 
the butter afforded them by their cow, they and company feasted. 




24 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Neighbors were few and far between. Often many days would 
pass, and no individuals except members of the family would be 
seen. At one time, after Mr. Stanchtield's family moved into their 
house, three or four weeks passed without their seeing any one ; 
when, seeing some neighbors approaching, they were frightened, 
supposing them to lie Indians. But these fears were groundless, 
for the settlers in this vicinity were never troubled by the red man. 

The nearest place where the inhabitants could get their grain 
ground was Sangerville, and the first settlers were compelled to 
carry their corn and wheat, often on their backs, twelv< miles, 
most of the way through the woods, following a spotted line, 
returning in the same way with the meal. It was considered a 
day's work for a man thus to carry one bushel -to mill and return 
witli the same at night. 

Joseph D. Jackson says, when he was a boy it was his stent to 
go to Sangerville and back with one-half bushel of corn or 
wheat on his shoulder. As he grew larger he was required to 
take three pecks, and when any boy could perform the journey in a 
day and carry a bushel, he began to think himself a man. Much 
of the time they were required to perform this task as often as 
once a week. 

In December, 1810, James Stanchfield, Jr., went to Sangerville 
to null with a horse, carrying about three bushels of grain on the 
horse's back. He got his grist and started for home about noon ; 
had to ford the river and one brook, doing which he got wet. 
This was the day long known as the "dark day, 1 ' when something 
obscured the rays of the sun, so that soon after noon it began to 
grow dark. When Mr. S. get as far as Capt. Chapin's, in Abbot, 
he stopped, thinking to spend the night, but on finding the time 
of day, he thought he could get home well enough and started on. 
The remainder of the story I will relate, as nearly as possible, in 
his own words: "When I got within about five miles of home, 
I came to the green woods. There was but little more than a 
spotted line. I found I could not follow the path and trusted to 
the horse to find the way. I soon became satisfied that we were 
going wrong. The horse refused to go. The darkness of night 
now came on. I tried to go forward, but soon got entangled in 



COMMEMORATION. 25 

some trees that were blown down, find I could not tell which way 
to go. I had flint and spunk in my pocket, and tried to kindle a 
fire, but soon dropped my flint and could not find it. I unloaded 
the bags from the horse and made my supper of dry meal. I was 
wet and grew very cold — a sort of ague fit attacked me, so that my 
teeth chattered against each other. I was obliged to keep myself 
from perishing with cold by stamping and walking around. In this 
way I spent the night, not daring to sleep for fear of perishing. 
As soon as it was light, I tied the horse, and went to look for 
the path. I found thai I had wandered about half a mile out of 
the way. I made my breakfast of dry meal and started for home ; 
reached Mr. Rowe's about nine in the morning, suffering very 
much with cold and fatigue." 

The mode of traveling through the country in those days was 
quite different from what it is now. No less than three families 
came all the way from Monson, Mass., a distance of some three 
hundred miles, with ox teams. Mr. Hiram Vinton and Calvin 
Colton were three weeks making the journey, and Mr. R. Day 
was four weeks, being detained on the road one week by sickness. 
Deacon Cushman was fourteen days coming with his family from 
Oxford, with the same means of conveyance, in February, iSiii', 
finding the roads obstructed with snow part of the way. 

Mrs. Sherman says : " One year, just about harvest time, we got 
out of breadstuff, and so did our neighbors ; and for some days 
we were obliged to live on potatoes, until we could thrash out a 
little rye, which we dried in a kettle over the fire. The first 
apples I saw in Monson, Mr. Sherman bought in Sangerville, 
paying a bushel of corn for a bushel of very poor apples, and 
bringing them home on his back ; and I suppose he carried the 
corn from home in the same way." % 

Mr. Joseph Jackson at one time went to Bangor with a horse, 
and bought four bushels of corn. Finding this too much load 
for his horse, he shouldered one bushel himself, and putting three 
bushels on. his horse, in this manner transported his corn to his 
home, a distance of fifty miles. 

One spring, Deacon Goodell, after preparing his land for a 
crop, was without a sufficient quantity of seed. So, leaving his 



26 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

home early in the morning, he went to Sangervill'e, a distance of 
at least ten miles, and purchased Four bushels of wheat. This he 
put in two bags, and shouldering one of them started for home. 
When he grew weary with his load, he laid it down beside the 
path and rested himself while returning for the other bag. This 
he carried past the first, and again recuperated, his strength while 
going back for the other bag of grain. Thus alternating between 
carrying his load and returning for the same, he reached his 
home the evening of the same day ; having traveled on foot not 
less than forty miles, and one-half of fche distance with two 
bushels of wheat on his back. This seems almost incredible, and 
I would not relate it here were it not so well authenticated as to 
leave in ray mind no doubt of its truth. 

In the autumn of 1S'22, Hiram Vinton and Abel Janes, after 
spending the summer here, started for their homes in Massa- 
chusetts. They walked to Hallowed, where they took a boat for 
Boston; arriving there they again started on foot. They spent 
the night a short distance out of Boston. In the morning, 
starting before light, they walked to Worcester, a distance of 
thirty-five miles, before breakfast. Then stopping to buy some 
gingerbread, they kept on their way, eating as they went. Mr. 
Janes stopped in Brimfield, having walked only about sixty-four 
miles, and just as the shades of night were coming on, Mr. Vinton 
reached the village of Monson, having gone on foot during the 
day, seventy-five miles. 

Quite a number of families have lived in houses where only 
part of the roof was shingled ; with only a part, and perhaps 
none, of the ground covered with a floor ; and with no windows, the 
light coming in through the cracks or through oiled paper. I 
have heard my mother say that many times, while in her bed, she 
lias looked out through the cracks in the sides of the house and 
seen the stars. I might multiply these instances of hardship and 
privation on the part of the early inhabitants of this town, but 
these are sufficient to show us something of the difficulties to be 
overcome in the settlement of a new place fifty years ago. 

Half a century has passed since our town commenced its 
existence, and what mighty changes have taken place within 



COMMEMORATION. 27 

those fifty years. In the world of letters And of science, great 
advancement has been witnessed; discoveries and inventions 
have been made, which would have been pronounced impossible 
by our fathers. The application of steam to machinery has 
wrought a complete revolution in the method of traveling, both 
by hind and by water, ami also in many of the manufacturing 
interests of our country. The electric telegraph now, on light- 
ning's wings conveys, from shore to shore, and from land to 
land, the intelligence, which fifty years ago was weeks or months 
in being transmitted. The implements used by our fathers in 
agricultural and manufacturing pursuits, have long since been laid 
aside as useless, and others, vastly superior both in appearance 
and utility, have taken their places. 

In the moral sentiments of the community, changes no less 
important or noticeable have taken place. Fifty years ago, and 
scarcely one, even in our own New England, had ventured to 
raise his voice against that oppression which was even then 
working for the destruction of our political and religious institu- 
tions. Fifty years ago, and no one thought it any harm to use as 
a beverage, intoxicating drinks; it was only the man who became 
entirely drunk that was supposed to be in any danger; the 
moderate and careful use of alcoholic drinks was then thought to 
be not only harmless but absolutely necessary. In these and 
many other matters, great changes for the better have been made. 

It is true, that we cannot speak of growth in population or in 
wealth, in any measure equal to that of many places, especially 
of many parts of the western portion of our country. In the 
rural towns of New England, growth in these respects is com- 
paratively slow. There is in most of these towns — and that has 
always been the case with us — a constant drain of the population 
going to occupy the rich fields that are ever opening in the far 
West, and inviting our young men to come and occupy them. A 
very large portion of those who have been reared in our town 
have gone to other parts of the land and some to foreign countries, 
to find for themselves homes, while those that have remained and 
those who have come among us, have but little more than kept 



i 



28 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

good the population of the place*. This constant emigration of 
our citizens, and especially of the young, seems discouraging ; but 
we do well to remember that they are gone to exert an influence 
upon the character of the communities where they dwell; and 
many of them are helping to form'the sentiment of the young 
and rapidly growing places in our western States. Thus is the 
circle of influence which pervades our own and most New England 
towns, extending itself and being felt all over the land. 

I have often wondered what would be the condition and the 
prospects of our western States, if the influences which have gone 
and are continually going from New England, were cut off. We 
have been considering the condition of our town fifty years ago, 
and comparing in our minds then with now. Let us look forward 
as far as we are able into the years to come, and ask ourselves 
what shall be the future of our community? It is for us largely 
to shape the destinies, and to mould the characters of our posterity. 
We have received a rich legacy from our fathers, not of gold and 
of silver, but rather of piety and of true moral worth. This it is 
for us to hand down to our posterity, unimpaired and improved. 
If we cultivate those virtues, and imitate those traits of character 
which we admire in those who have gone before us, then may we^ 
expect that those who shall come after us will cherish our memories 
with affection, and be made better by striving to imitate our 
examples. 

Fifty years hence, and who will be the actors on the stage of 
life in this place ? This we cannot tell; but of this much there 
can be but little doubt: the voice that now addresses you, and 
most of the ears that now listen to me, will be still and dull in 
death. We shall most of us have passed away, and others will 
have taken our places. The seasons will come and go, the sun 
will shine as brightly and the showers descend as softly as now. 
The earth will annually yield its reward to the toiling husband- 
men, but another generation will reap the fruits of the earth and 
rejoice in the beauties of nature and the bounties of Providence, 
while we shall be sleeping in our graves and our names perhaps 
almost forgotten. But the influence of our lives will still live. 



COMMEMORATION. 20 

Rev. A. II. Tyler and Hon. S. A. Patten, followed the address 

with happy and appropriate remarks, alluding to the christian 
character of the early settlers, and the results of their teaching 
upon the present generation. 

TV". S. Knowlton set the house in good humor by reading the 
following poem : 

AULD LANG SYNE. 

Would you of the old times hear, 
The times of Auld Lang Syne ? 
When gloomy forests, dark and drear 
With spruce and hemlock, birch and pine, 
Were hiding place for deer and moose, 
And wolf and bear and " luncumsloose ? " 
Where now your happy dwellings are 
With pastures, fields and gardens fair ? 
Would you like to hear the story 
How they fought their savage foes 
Till with blood the shirt was gory 
Killing fleas and musquitoes ? 

Their homes they built within the wood, 
Where lofty pine in beauty stood ; 
Beside the lake, whose foamy spray- 
Like bridal vail hung o'er the way ; 
Where oft, with line and baited hook, 
To tempt the froutlet from its nook, 
They sought relief from every care, 
But oftener sought a breakfast there. 

Well, listen now and I will tell, 

How each performed his labor ; 
How uncle Joseph dug his well 

For every friend and neighbor. 

From early dawn till darkness set, 

They heard his pickax go ; 
Not fast enough to make him sweat, 

But force in every blow. 



30 SEMT-CEKTENKIAL 

So, when a neighbor was athirst, ' 

In dubious hesitation 
He sent for uncle Royal first, 

To make examination. 

He felt Dame nature's beating pulse, 

To find her water courses, 
And made, with pliant hazel sprout, 

A sort of "diagnosis." 

And when he'd found the jugular, 

Straight to the fountain leading, 
Good unele Joe would seize the bar, 

And soon would set it bleeding. 

For uncle James they next would go; 

He'd put a pump within it. 
Zounds! how the water it would throw — 

A barrel in a minute. 

How uncle Ben the mail "put through ;" 

Was coach and horse and driver too ; 

And how, for miles, at night and morn, 

Tie waked the babies with his horn — 

Bought sugar, tea and household stuff, 

Tobacco, pipes, and spice and snuff 

For all the town, then homeward tramped in happy glee, 

And echoes waked with sweet "Dundee." 

How uncle O r sold rum, 

Tobacco, gin and candy, 
Bought shingles, clapboards, wheat and gum, 

And paid for them in brandy. 
He never aid to runners lent, 

But bought his goods in "Bostin," 
And always thought that three per cent. 

Meant three times what they cost him. 

Their luxuries were scant and few, 
But they would .sit and chew and chew 



COMMEMORATION. 31 

And chow spruce gum, at work or play, 

From early dawn to close of day; 

And then to bed reluctant creep 

And lie and chew themselves to sleep. 

So when a lover went to see 

Sweet Sally Jane, or Naomi, 

She always smiled to see him come 

If he had pockets filled with gum. 

And they would sit and chew and talk, 

And "cuds" of gum would slily "swop." 

And how those awful "tything men," 

With faces puritanic, 

The idle boys and godless men 

Dispersed in sudden panic. 

And if a beau by chance was seen 

With her he most did care for, 

They sternly asked " Where have you been ? " 

"And what have you been there for?" 

They gave their children scripture names, 

Rebecca, Ruth and Hannah, 

Xehemiah, Solomon and James, 

Naomi and Susanna. 

And sometimes I have heard them tell 

What things at raisings oft befel, 

What piles of pork and beans they'd eat, 

And pumpkin pies and pounds of meat, 

How they would wrestle, dance and jump, 

And use the jug much more than pump. 

If right my memory serves me still, 

It took a drink to lay the sill, 

Two drinks to raise a post upright, 

One to lift and one to sight. 

To raise a beam they needed two 

To keep their nerves both staunch and true, 

And every rafter you must see 



32 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Required not less than two'or three. 
Thus when they'd got the ridge-pole up, 
They had to tip the jug straight up. 
And once when they'd the building raised, 
A liking took to husking maize, 
And so they cut the half-ripe corn, 
And husked and danced till early dawn, 
But then they found by break of day 
The cobs were much less corned than they. 

The hoys were taught to chop and hoe, 
To hold the plough, to reap and mow, 
To ride the colt, the steers to break, 
To use and not to play the rake, 
To pile and burn, and "spud in" corn, 
And rise from bed at early dawn 
To tend the pigs, and cows and flock, 
And go to bed at eight o'clock, 
And ne'er allowed to " sparking" run 
Till they arrived at twenty-one. 
But when a lover felt at last 
An awful longing for a las-, 
He'd first to ma' and daddy hie 
> With blushing cheek and sheepish eye, 

And ask, as though in colic pain, 
"Please — Sir — may — I — have Sally Jane?" 

The girls were taught to knit and sew, 

To card the wool, and spin the tow, 

And weave the dress they wore to dance, 

Or Church, or school, and when, perchance, 

A lover called, as sweetly looked in homespun tow 

As costly silk or calico. 

They tied their hair up in a knot, 

Each satisfied with what she'd got, 

And never tried their looks to spoil, 

By " rats" or "mice " or " waterfall.'' 



COMMEMORATION. 33 

They milked the cow and butter make, 
In haying helped the old man rake; 
Drop all the corn and pumpkin seed, 
The hens, and ducks, and goslings feed. 
They'd on old Dolly's bare back hop, 
Take her to mill or blacksmith shop; 
And then to qnil tings how they flocked; 
Of household 'fairs so glibly talked — 
How many skeins had Betsey spun ! 
What awful washings Jane had done! 
How many turkeys they had got 
Besides the ten a skunk had caught. 
Much better thus the time to spend, 
Than whispering scandal of a friend. 

Thomas N. Lord, Preceptor of the Academy, who had been 
engaged to prepare a poem for the occasion, remarking that ill 
health had prevented him from preparing such a production aa 
he had intended, read the following poem on Life : 

LIFE. 

The firmament above to firmament 
Beneath permits, at God's command, the 
Lain to fall. The venerable hill, stretching 
Its cloud-capt summit heavenward, detains 
Ere is begun its course, the water drop, 
And into that channel to man's mind 
Comprehensible directs it. To the 
Hidden spring it hies its way, and there finds 
The starting point of its terrestrial 
Pilgrimage. Mingling and commingling with 
Its kind, it is now one of the ocean bound 
Necessities; teaching to man the fact 
That the mighty whole is of little things 
Composed. And small the beginning 
Of mighty results. Such, methinks, is man's beginning. 
From the same source he springs, and by the same 
3 



34 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Direction finds himself at the source of 
Life's boundless ocean — Eternity. Through the rivulet 
Of childhood, over sandy and flower strewn 
Courses; through the shady nook which 
Shields from the sun's too hot rays ; protected 
From circumstances too harsh and grating, 
That no compunctious visitings of Nature 
Rest too heavily upon it ; by its 
Surroundings admired for its purity, 
Smoothly it glides on, all too rapidly, 
Its waters, unnoticed, flowing into and 
Mysteriously disappearing in the more 
Turbulent waters of Youth. Here it is 
Dashed about and thrown on rocks that 
Fain would stop its course. But still onward, 
Over fall and cascade, into eddies where it 
Would glad remain and bask in the sun- 
Light of misconceived happiness. But its ' 
Mission is unperformed, and again ! 
It is whirled into the resistless tide, and beneath 
The surface of manhood, where alternately 
It laughs and moans beneath its burden, and 
With less of novelty it among its kindred passes. 
Manifold and varied 
In its course, are its constant changes, 
Till nearing the mouth of Life's river, it 
Finds tranquility. More smoothly runs its 
Tide, broader its expanse, widening for 
The fuller and more complete crystal drop 
That shall so soon enter the broad, boundless 
Deep, where Humanity, forgetful of 
Itself, shall burst into fullness of glory. 
As the drop upon the mountain top, whose 
Cradle is the fountain, seeks for its bed — 
The ocean, so man, cradled in the arms 
Of Time seeks rest, and at last pillows 



COMMEMORATION. 35 

His head confidently at his journey's 
End and sleeps lulled by the tide ripple 
Of Eternity. 

Anecdotes of the early settlers, pioneer life, and " ye olden 
tyme" Avere related by J. D. Jackson, Dea. Cushman and Joseph 
Green. 

The choir, assisted by many of the old singers, enlivened the 
occasion by singing the grand old tunes of "Hallowell, New 
Jerusalem," &c, and closed the exercises, in the hall, by singing 
" America". 

The audience were then invited to the room below, and partook 
of an old-fashioned supper, prepared by the ladies of the place. 
After the guests had indicated their appreciation of the repast 
in a satisfactory manner, toasts were drank, responses made, and 
good cheer abounded. 

Notwithstanding the bad condition of the roads, the attendance 
was very good ; and each one felt that the occasion had been one 
lomr to be remembered. 



APPEN DIX. 

Names of those who entered the Army from the town of 
monson during the rebellion, 1861-1865. 
t John H. Andrews, George F. Dearborn, 

Elias T. Andrews, Charles E. Dearborn, 

|| Thomas Arnold, Wm. H. Dermott, 

George H. Bray, * Ezekiel Elliott, 

|| Daniel C. Brazier, Henry M. Folsom, 

Wm. Buck, Jr., Thomas W. Flint, 

* Wm. H. Buck, || Frank Gates, 



•Killed in battle or died from effects of wounds received in battle, 
t Sickened and died while in service. 
t Reached home to die. 
II Wounded in the service. 



36 



SEMI-CENTENNIAL 



John Chick, 
|| Morrill G. Curtis, 
% David S. Curtis, 
|| Rufus G. Curtis, Jr., 

Daniel Cunningham, 
| Albert W. Chapin, 
* George II. Cushman, 
| Moses G. Colomy, 

Charles E. Coloiny, 
f Eben P. Davis, 
|| George A. Davis, 

George Doughty, 

Henry A. Ilussey, 

Henry Iliggins, 

Lloyd Howard, 
|| Bradish B. Jackson, 
| John II. Jackson, 

Joseph T. Jackson, 
*Favel B. Jackson, 

Albert F. Jackson, 

Thomas W. Knight, 

Jack Lam out, 

Joseph Lambert, Jr., 
. Charles II. Lord, 
*Almon C." Morton, 

John MeDermott, 

Daniel McKcnney, 

John II. McKenney, 
f Granville McKenney, 

W. D. McKenney, 
t Cyrus McKenney, 

|| Charles A. Gates, 

f Dexter Goodwin, 

Samuel Goodwin, 

Albert Goodwin, 



t f George Goodwin, 

Stinson Goodwin. 

Merritt Goodwin, 

Abram Coding, 
|| Ilermon R. Green, 

Tliaddeus Green, 
||M.'ircellus W.Hall, 

Jeremiah Hill, 

Sylvan us B. Macomber, 
f Melvnnder Packard, 

Simeon D. Packard, 
f Orin Piper, 
t Simon D. Ranlett, 
% Seth W. Roberts, 

Adelbert A. Simonds, 

Edwin C. Stanchfield, 

John C. Stanchfield, 
t Mark P. Steward, 

Moses Steward, 
* John M. Steward, 

Brown B. Steward, 
|| Sylvanus B. Steward, 
t William P. Steward, 

Seth W. Steward, 
f Edward P. Scales, 
|| Win. T. Sibley, 

Nathaniel Swett, 
|| Robert T. Thomas, 

Adoniram J. Townes, 

John Tebbetts, Jr., 

George W. Tebbetts, 
|| Thomas A. Trask, 

Charles A. Went worth, 
f Dennis II. Witham, 

Win. Watt. 



BKKKY, 1'ltlNTEK, POKTLANO. 





ft 



SEMI-CENTENNIAL 



COMMEMOBATION, 



MONSON, ME. 



PORTLAND : 

HOYT, FOGG & BREED 



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